The standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has expressed hope that he would win the governorship polls slated for September 28.

His campaign organisation said in a statement that he was encouraged by the huge support that he has received from Edo people and other well-meaning Nigerians.

Ize-Iyamu said he was unmoved by the alleged plotting by the Adams Oshiomhole-led All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged all registered voters, including those living outside the state to vote for the PDP.

The candidate urged them to refuse the alleged inducement by Oshiomhole, his candidate, Godwin Obaseki and the APC.

He cautioned that the APC’s attempts to manipulate the election by distributing rice and salt, would not buy the voters’ conscience.

According to the statement: “Day after day, I am being assured by the good people of Edo State and other eligible voters living in the state, that they are strong-minded and prepared to kick out the APC-led government.

“I am overwhelmed by the passion of the people towards our project to rescue our state. The people have made it clear in the past weeks that this election is not about Ize-Iyamu or the PDP. It is about the urgent need to free Edo State from the hands of those who want to destroy it.

“On our part, we want to once again, assure the good people of Edo State that their votes would count, as nobody or institution can rig or manipulate this election. We are ready to defend and protect our mandate with the last drop of our blood. And we know that God is on our side,” the statement read.

The candidate had also unfolded his plan for the health sector at a recent interactive session with the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Ize-Iyamu told them that he would replace the current healthcare system, by formulating and implementing a comprehensive healthcare policy, as contained in his ‘Simple Agenda.

He promised to harmonise the federal, state and local council health care plans, as part of his comprehensive plan to revamp the sector.

He said under the plan, the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) would be incorporated with the appropriate costing and complemented with a robust capacity building.

He said part of the plan would include setting targets for intervention to reduce the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

This includes ensuring that the prevalence of child and maternal morbidity and mortality is reduced to the barest minimum.

Ize-Iyamu said, when accomplished, it would increase the life expectancy through an integrated, reformed, restructured and functional healthcare system.

Still on health, he promised that his agenda would include setting up a functional disease control agency for the surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of disease in the state.

“This election is about the economy, our future and redemption for the Edo person. We are saying enough of the oppressive government. We must join hands to change the change,’’ Ize-Iyamu added.

“With the experience I have gathered through the years in government and from the private sector, I know how to fight for you and I am determined to fight for the health sector,” he added.

He promised to revive the teacher training college, to make the state have the best-trained, best-equipped and best-motivated teachers in the country.

He added that his government would restore the dignity and pride of the young women in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

On crime, Ize-Iyamu promised to create jobs to reduce crime by launching what he called “See Something, Say Something (SSSS) campaign across the state to ensure that criminals would find our state an unbearable place to do business.’’